Romans 11:28-29, "Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts of God are irrevocable."
With all of the economic and political turmoil that is happening in our country today, it's easy to lose sight of the situation unfolding in the middle east, specifically in regards to Israel. I believe with all of my heart the main reason we have been spared another major terrorist attack is because of our national support for the nation of Israel. In Genesis 12:3, God tells Abram(Abraham)in regards to himself, and his descendants through Issac and Jacob, Israel; "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you." Since the reconstitution of the nation of Israel in 1948 the United States has been a staunch supporter and blessing to Israel through Republican and Democratic administrations. But is that attitude changing?
Replacement Theology
Inside the body of Christ, many view the promises God made to Israel in the Old Testament, as now applying to the church. Where the word Israel occurs in the bible, they simply insert the word church; and where the word Jerusalem occurs, they insert the word heaven. We call this replacement theology, where Israel is replaced by the church. This theological belief directly contradicts the words of Paul in his Epistle to the Romans. Paul states unequivocally that the gifts of God are "irrevocable," they cannot be taken away. Those gifts include the land of Israel, in fact, far more land than Israel at the present time occupies.
What this has led to is a rejection of the nation of Israel as a fulfilment of biblical prophecy, and a rejection of Romans chapters 9-11, the definitive, New Testament, word from God regarding His "chosen people." Israel, and those who practice the Hebrew faith, are indeed our "enemies" for "the sake of the gospel," as they reject their Messiah, Jesus Christ. But, they are still "beloved" of God for the sake of "election." Why? Because of those promises God made thousands of years ago to the fathers, Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Israel will be reconciled to God, and since this has not happened yet, it must still be a future fulfilment of prophecy.
Land for Peace
In our government, for as long as I can remember, the focus has been upon Israel giving up land to the Palestinians in return for the promise of peace. This in spite of the threats of Israel's enemies to drive the nation into the sea. This attitude was prophesied by God in Psalm 83:4 where the Lord says of these nations, "They have said, 'Come and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.'"
We must remember that it is God who has given this land to ISRAEL, and that it is in fact, His land. Joel 3:2 warns us, "I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there. On account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land." Yet in spite of this warning of judgment from God, a part of which is based upon His land being divided, our self proclaimed Christian leaders have been trying to do just this going on 40 years now. This indicates either a woeful misunderstanding of God's relationship with Israel, or the embracing of replacement theology, and the belief that God is through with Israel. Either way it could be leading us down the path to a judgment of our nation by God.
The next several days we will be looking at the situation in the middle east with the bible as our guide. Friends, we live in an age where biblical prophecy seems to be lining up as never before, and Israel is the key to understanding that prophecy. God has given us the outline of future events in His holy word, and we best heed the words He has spoken. Until tomorrow, let us be in prayer for our nation and Israel. And let us understand and accept that the gifts of God, even regarding to Israel, are "irrevocable."
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